The League of Patriotic Lawyers has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for its recent convictions and financial recoveries under Chairman Ola Olukoyede.
Chairman of the League, Abubakar Yesufu, gave the commendation on Friday in Lagos, saying the anti-graft agency had recorded significant achievements in its fight against economic and financial crimes.
Yesufu said the Commission had recovered more than N1.23 trillion and $684.47 million in local and foreign currencies.
According to him, the scale of the EFCC recoveries provides reason for Nigerians to acknowledge the agency’s performance under its current leadership.
He also disclosed that the Commission had secured 10,832 convictions from almost 15,000 cases handled.
Yesufu described the number of convictions as unprecedented, adding that the development was particularly encouraging to members of the legal profession.
The lawyer said he was proud of Olukoyede’s achievements, noting that the EFCC chairman had earlier pledged to promote higher standards of professional excellence.
Commenting on the recent dismissal of more than 40 EFCC personnel, Yesufu argued that dismissal alone should not be the end of the process where wrongdoing had been established.
He called for criminal prosecution of officials found to have compromised the integrity of the Commission.
According to him, anyone found culpable should face prosecution and, where convicted, imprisonment.
Yesufu said such action would reinforce the EFCC’s stated zero-tolerance position on corruption and strengthen public confidence in the agency.
He maintained that accountability within the Commission was essential if its anti-corruption campaign was to retain credibility.
The League chairman also criticised what he described as weaknesses in the judicial process for handling economic and financial crime cases.
He urged the National Assembly to establish specialised courts dedicated to the speedy determination of such cases.
Yesufu argued that specialised courts could reduce delays and ensure that complex financial crime matters receive timely judicial attention.
He further urged the EFCC to remain focused on its statutory mandate and investigate high-profile suspects regardless of their political influence or connections.
The lawyer cautioned the Commission against yielding to political pressure, saying alleged wrongdoing should be pursued whenever evidence supports a case.
He said the agency must remain independent and ensure that its anti-corruption activities are conducted transparently, fairly and in accordance with the rule of law.
